Packaging structure of variable volume

ABSTRACT

A transport packaging structure of variable volume having four generally parallel and mutually adjacent angle-pieces. Each angle piece has two flanges which define an angle of generally 90° therebetween such as to form an inner corner which faces towards the interior of the structure. Mutually adjacent angle-pieces on at least three sides of the packaging structure are held together by at least one arm which functions to enable two angle-pieces to be spaced apart by a selective distance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a variable volume transport packaging structureof the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1.

2. Description of the Related Art

So-called disposable paperboard cartons and the like are at present usedto a large extent in packaging an assortment of products fortransportation. These disposable cartons or boxes are bulky and whentheir contents have been removed and placed on display shelves in thestore or shop concerned, it is necessary to dispose of the empty cartonin some appropriate manner. This disposal is a relatively complexoperation, since the person concerned must first cut the packagingmaterial so that it can be folded to a minimum volume, and thereaftersent to a waste recycling plant, for environmental reasons. The use ofdisposable cartons and boxes is both complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the invention s to provide a transportpackaging structure of variable volume that can be used to package manydifferent types of goods units with corresponding variations in size.Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging structure thatcan be adapted to goods units of rectangular cross-section and ofdifferent sizes and different width/height cross-sectional ratios. Stillanother object of the invention is to provide a packaging structure thatcan be collapsed to a relatively small storage volume which willfacilitate transportation of the empty or collapsed packaging structureto a recycling station or the like in which the packaging structure canbe destroyed, recycled or reused.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a packaging structurethat can be used as an auxiliary means which will enable the contents ofthe package (normally in the form of a plurality of consumer packages)to be moved to a display station, such as a display shelf or the like ina store or shop, without needing to leave the actual packaging structurein place until all of its contents have been removed.

These objects are achieved either fully or partially with a transportpackaging structure of variable volume having four generally paralleland mutually adjacent angle pieces, each having two flanges which definean angle of generally 90° therebetween so as to form an inner cornerwhich faces towards the interior of the structure. Mutually adjacentangle-pieces on at least three sides of the packaging structure are heldtogether by at least one arm which functions to enable the twoangle-pieces to be spaced apart at a selective distance therebetween.

According to further developments of the inventive packaging structure,arms may be provided on all four sides of the structure, mutuallyconnecting adjacent angle-pieces, and the ends of the arms may bepivotally connected to respective angle-pieces. The arms may further behinged between their respective ends, the arm links connected to thehinge being pivotal in a plane which lies adjacent to and parallel withthe adjacent side of the packaging structure. In another embodiment, anarm may be provided at each end-part of one side of a packagingstructure. In a further embodiment, the arms on one side of thepackaging structure may function to hold the mutually facing legs of theangle-pieces essentially in a common plane. The structure may includelocking means for locking the angle-pieces in mutually adjustedpositions, particularly when the angle-pieces are fitted on the corneredges of a goods unit. Such locking means may include a securing bandwhich surrounds the angle-pieces coacting with the goods unit. Thestructure may further be embodied with panels placed between pairs ofmutually adjacent angle-pieces such as to form structure side walls, andmay further include an end panel which covers the free cross-sectionalspace of the structure and which is removably fitted to one end of thepackaging structure.

The invention is based on the realization that articles of a generallyparallelepipedic shape and of rectangular cross-section can be packagedfor transportation with the aid of four angle-pieces that are disposedto receive a respective corner edge of the article, such that oneangle-piece receives a respective corner of the article as seen incross-section. These angle-pieces shall therewith be held together toform a coherent unit. This is achieved by mutually connecting adjacentangle-pieces that delimit one and the same side of the articlecross-section with a connecting and holding device that is connected atits ends to said two angle-pieces and which is adapted to permit thedistance between said adjacent angle-pieces to be selectively adjusted.Such holding devices may be placed between all pairs of mutuallyadjacent angle-pieces, i.e. on all four sides of the goodscross-section, although it will be undersized that one side of such aholding device may be left free. The angle-pieces of the transportpackaging structure can be brought readily into engagement with arespective corner edge of a goods unit by mutual parallel displacementof said angle-pieces, whereafter the angle-pieces can be fixed inposition in relation to the packaged goods unit by means of a lockingdevice. This locking device may have the form of a lashing, a bundlestrap, securing straps, packaging tape or the like wound externallyaround the goods-holding angle-pieces in their longitudinal direction.When a thus packaged unit is transported to the place at which thepackaged goods unit shall be removed, the package is easily opened bysimply removing the locking device and lifting the package in thelongitudinal direction of the angle-pieces. When the holding deviceshave the form of arms whose ends are coupled to respective angle-piecesby virtue of frictional forces acting therebetween, the arms are able tohold together the angle-pieces although with limited friction betweensaid angle-pieces and the packaged articles when removing the lockingdevice. This enables the transport packaging structure to form guidemeans which enables the packaged unit to be pushed or pulled axiallyfrom the packaging structure. This is of particular interest when thegoods unit is comprised of a stack of packaging units or stacks of smallpackages (consumer packages) that lie side-by-side, irrespective ofwhether the stacks shall be pushed horizontally onto a shelf or shall bestacked vertically in a storage box, for instance in a chest freezer.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the holding devices have theform of arms that are hinged at at least one position between the endsthereof connected to the angle-pieces, this hinge enabling itsassociated arm to be collapsed generally in the plane defined by theadjacent side surface of the goods unit.

Embodiments at present preferred include two such arms disposed on eachmain side of the transport packaging structure, said arms beingconveniently disposed in the proximity of a respective end of theangle-pieces.

The angle-pieces preferably consist of L-profiles of mutually equallengths.

The angle-pieces may be held together by securing elements connectedbetween diagonally opposing angle-pieces at the ends of saidangle-pieces. A pair of such crossing securing elements at each end ofthe packaging structure will not only provide a means of locking theangle-pieces together in their individual positions, but will alsoprevent movement of an enclosed goods unit in the longitudinal directionof the angle-pieces.

In one embodiment of the invention, panels are placed between mutuallyadjacent pairs of angle-pieces, so as to form a rectangular packagingtube together with said angle-pieces. Naturally, end panels can beplaced between the side panels at the ends of the angle-pieces, suchthat the side panels and end panels define a parallelepipedic containerwhich is held together by the transport packaging structure, which inthis case also functions to completely shield the enclosed goods unitfrom the surroundings. The panels also form reinforcements which preventparallel movement of the angle-pieces towards one another by externalforces.

The arms are preferably bevelled along their longitudinal edges, so thatthe arms will be guided into an overlapping relationship withoutinterfering with each other as the arms are dropped partially in overone another. The flanges of the angle-pieces will also preferably bebevelled, so as to enable said angle-pieces to slide in over one anotheras they are moved parallel and into contact with each other, wherein thebevels on the arms and the angle-piece flanges may be arranged to guidesaid arms and said flanges onto one another as the packaging structureis collapsed to a maximum collapsed state, instead of said arms andflanges colliding rigidly with one another.

The locking means used to hold the packaging structure together maycomprise a screw joint or a clamp joint which function to fixate thearms in a set configuration relative to the angle-pieces and relative toone another by frictional forces. However, the locking device willpreferably have the form of one or more straps tightened around theangle-pieces in a manner to hold said angle-pieces firmly on the corneredges of the enclosed goods unit. Disposable strap means may be used inthis respect.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference toexemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an inventive packagingstructure;

FIG. 2 is an end view of one embodiment of a packaging structuredisposed around a goods unit;

FIG. 3 is an end view of another embodiment of the transport packagingstructure;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically from above one side of the packagingstructure; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line V—V in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The transport packaging structure illustrated in FIG. 1 is comprised offour angle-pieces 1-4 of essentially equal length and placedside-by-side. Each of the angle-pieces is formed by a straight elongatedelement having two flanges at right angles to one another, such as todefine an inner corner which receives an outer corner of a goods unit(not shown in FIG. 1) to be packaged. Mutually adjacent angle-pieces 1,2 are joined together by means of at least one arm 6. Respective armsare constructed to enable mutually adjacent angle-pieces to beselectively spaced at a given distance from one another.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, arms 6 extend between all pairs of mutuallyadjacent angle-pieces, although it will be understood that arms 6 can beexcluded between a pair of angle-pieces. The illustrated packagingstructure is intended to receive a goods unit of generally rectangularand constant cross-section.

The goods unit may comprise a stack of rectangular objects, or fourmutually adjacent stacks of objects which together form a goods unit andwhose mutually parallel corner edges are received in a respectiveangle-piece 1-4. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a tightening or securing band 7which extends around the four angle-pieces 1-4 so as to secure saidangle-pieces against a goods unit packaged in the packaging structure.

However, it will be evident that the arms 6 may be constructed to beself-locking such as to maintain mutually adjacent angle-pieces at afixed distance apart.

In the illustrated embodiment, the holding devices 6 have the form ofarms which are hinged at 61 between their respective ends and pivotallyconnected at said ends 62, 63 to respective angle-pieces. The hinge 61and the pivotal connections 62, 63 will preferably have parallel axes soas to enable the arms 6 to be folded in a plane which is parallel andlies adjacent a plane presented by the adjacent, generally parallelprofiles between which the arms extend.

FIG. 2 illustrates tensioning devices 8 that extend between diagonallyopposite angle-pieces at their respective ends. A pair of such crossingtensioning devices at each end of the packaging structure forms alocking means which will firmly hold the angle-pieces 1-4 against anenclosed goods unit, said tensioning devices 8 also functioning toprevent the goods unit 9 from sliding from the transport packagingstructure in the longitudinal direction of the angle-pieces 1-4.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, panels 10, 11 may be placed within thepackaging structure with the longitudinal edges of the panels receivedby the inner corners of the angle-pieces, such that these panels 10, 11together with said angle-pieces 1-4 form a tubular packaging structurewhich is held together by locking means, such as tensioning straps 7,tensioning or tightening devices 8, or the like. An open or a closedcontainer which places no requirements on the shape or nature of thegoods can be obtained by fitting an end panel to one or both ends of theangle-pieces 1-4 (the short ends of panels 10, 11).

When the locking device has the form of a tensioning or tightening strap7 (see FIG. 1), the tightening straps may be of a disposable kind andconsist of so-called bundle straps, packaging tape, packaging bands, andso on.

As before mentioned, one holding device/arm 6 on each side of thetransport packaging structure may be sufficient. The main purpose of theholding devices is to keep the angle-pieces 1-4 in generally parallelrelationship and preferably juxtaposed, wherein the arms also functionto maintain the angle-pieces mutually orientated to receive the cornersof a goods unit of rectangular cross-section. To this end, the devices 6are configured and mounted so that the two flanges with which an armconnects are held facing towards one another. In the case of an arm thathas a hinge 61 between its respective ends and which is pivotallyconnected to respective angle-pieces 2, 3, this latter feature isachieved by arranging said hinges and pivots parallel with theperpendicularly opposing flanges so that the hinge/pivot axes willextend perpendicularly to the adjacent side of the goods unit to bepackaged.

The arms 6 may be formed by elongated flat band-like elements which areconnected to one another and to the angle-pieces by bolt joints or thelike. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ends of the arm-links 64, 65and the adjoining flanges 11, 12 of the angle-pieces may be bevelled tominimize the risk of the links 64, 65 interfering with the flanges 11,12 when folded in over said flanges. The long edges of the inks 64, 65are also preferably bevelled to counteract mutual interference when saidlinks are folded-in towards one another. The mutually proximal end edgesof the flanges 11, 12 of said angle-pieces 2, 3 may also be bevelled soas to enable the flange 12 to slide in beneath the flange 11 when theangle-pieces 2, 3 are moved close together. One link or arm 65 may alsobe mounted on its respective angle-piece flange 12 through the medium ofa spacer element 13, so as to counteract interference between themutually coacting components when the angle-pieces 2, 3 that define oneside of the packaging structure are pushed towards each other.

The packaging structure is developed so that the inner corners of theangle-pieces 1-4 define a rectangular cross-sectional area which islarger than the cross-sectional area of a goods unit to be received bythe packaging structure, whereafter the packaging structure is placed onthe goods unit and the angle-pieces 1-4 then moved into engagement withrespective outer corners of the goods unit, wherein, the illustratedarms 6 are folded around their respective hinges 61. The packagingstructure is then secured with the aid of a bundle strap, tighteningstrap 7. The packaging structure and its contents can then betransported to a store or shop for instance, where the goods unit, forinstance a stack of consumer articles or packages, is to be placed on ashelf for display or sale. The person performing this task can thensimply cut the strap 7 and push the goods unit onto the shelf, with theunit guided by the angle-pieces 1-4. The transport packaging structurecan then be collapsed to its minimum volume and sent back for reuse orrecycling.

When the transport packaging structure lacks a holding device on one ofits sides, the packaging structure may readily be placed sideways on thegoods unit. When holding devices 6 are provided on all sides of thepackaging structure, it is necessary to place the goods unit into thepackaging structure from one end thereof.

It will be understood that the transport packaging structure can bereadily adapted to different rectangular sizes and height/width ratiosin respect of the cross-section of the goods unit to be packaged, andthat the goods unit may have a length essentially equal to the length ofthe angle-pieces 1.

The person skilled in this art will realize that the inventive transportpackaging structure can be erected and collapsed very easily, and thatits volume can be varied greatly in a simple and expedient manner.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transport packaging structure of variablevolume comprising four generally parallel and mutually adjacentangle-pieces, each having two flanges which define an angle of generally90° therebetween such as to form an inner corner which faces towards theinterior of said structure, wherein pairs of mutually adjacentangle-pieces on at least three sides of the packaging structure, eachpair defining one side, are respectively held together by at least onearm which functions to enable the respective pair of adjacentangle-pieces to be spaced apart at any selective distance rangingbetween and including a fully extended position and a fully contractedposition therebetween, each arm having at least two arm links that areconnected to one another at one end by a pivoting hinge and pivotallyconnected at a second end to a respective angle-piece such that saidstructure can be expanded and contracted in two mutually perpendiculardirections, and further comprising a locking element separate from saidarms for locking the angle-pieces in any mutually adjusted positiondefining said selective distance.
 2. The structure according to claim 1,wherein arms are provided on all four sides of the structure, such as tomutually connect adjacent angle-pieces.
 3. The structure according toclaim 1, wherein the locking element includes tensioning devicesextending between diagonally opposed angle-pieces, for firmly drawingsaid angle-pieces inward into engagement with an outside surface of agoods unit contained within said structure.
 4. The structure accordingto claim 1, wherein the arm links connected to said hinge are pivotal ina plane which lies adjacent to and parallel with an adjacent side of thepackaging structure.
 5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein anarm is provided at each end-part of one side of said packagingstructure.
 6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein arms on oneside of said packaging structure hold the mutually facing legs of theangle-pieces essentially in a common plane.
 7. The structure accordingto claim 1, wherein the locking element includes a securing band whichsurrounds the angle-pieces, said angle-pieces being pushed inward bysaid locking element into engagement with an outside surface of a goodsunit contained within said structure.
 8. The structure according toclaim 1, further comprising panels placed between pairs of mutuallyadjacent angle-pieces such as to form structure side walls.
 9. Thestructure according to claim 1, further comprising an end panel whichcovers the free cross-sectional space of the structure and which isremovably fitted to one end of the packaging structure.
 10. A transportpackaging structure of variable volume constructed to contain a goodsunit within an interior of said structure, said structure comprising:four generally parallel and mutually adjacent angle-pieces defining foursides of the structure, each having two flanges which define an angle ofgenerally 90° therebetween such as to form an inner corner which facestowards the interior of said structure to coact with the goods unit, apair of any two mutually adjacent angle-pieces defining one side of thestructure; at least one hinged arm on each of at least two sides of thepackaging structure, each hinged arm enabling a respective pair ofadjacent angle-pieces forming one side to be spaced apart at a variableselective distance such that said structure is adjustable to enclose aplurality of goods units of different sizes, with said angle pieces,when properly adjusted, being in snug engagement with respective outersurfaces of said enclosed goods units; and a locking element separatefrom said hinged arms and acting in conjunction with said angle piecesfor preventing said pairs of angle-pieces, once adjusted, fromseparating beyond said variable selective distance.
 11. The structure asset forth in claim 10, wherein said locking element comprises a securingband surrounding an outer surface of the angle-pieces for pressing theinner corners of said angle-pieces into firm engagement with an enclosedgoods unit.
 12. The structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein saidlocking element comprises tensioning devices extending betweendiagonally opposing angle-pieces, for firmly drawing said angle-piecesinward against an enclosed goods unit.
 13. A transport packagingstructure of variable volume containing a goods unit within an interiorof said structure, said structure comprising: four generally paralleland mutually adjacent angle-pieces, each having two flanges which definean angle of generally 90° therebetween such as to form an inner cornerwhich faces towards the interior of said structure to engage an outersurface of said goods unit contained therein, a pair of any two mutuallyadjacent angle-pieces defining one of four sides of the structure; atleast one arm on each of the four sides of the packaging structure, eacharm connecting and enabling a respective pair of adjacent angle-pieceson the four sides to be spaced apart at a selective distance andessentially in a common plane, each arm having at least two arm linkshingedly connected to one another and pivotally connected to arespective angle-piece to allow said structure to be expanded andcontracted in two mutually perpendicular directions, and each arm havinga fully extended position and a fully contracted position; and a lockingelement separate from said hinged arms for tensioning said angle piecesinto engagement with said enclosed goods unit at said selective distancewhich is any selected position between and including said fullycontracted position and said fully extended position, said selectedposition being dictated by an outer dimension of said enclosed goodsunit against which said angle pieces are tensioned to engage.
 14. Thestructure as set forth in claim 13, wherein said locking elementcomprises a securing band surrounding an outer surface of theangle-pieces for pressing the inner corners of said angle-pieces intofirm engagement with said enclosed goods unit.
 15. The structure as setforth in claim 13, wherein said locking element comprises tensioningdevices extending between diagonally opposed angle-pieces, for firmlydrawing said angle-pieces inward against said enclosed goods unit. 16.The structure as set forth in claim 13, further comprising panels placedbetween pairs of mutually adjacent angle-pieces on an inner surface ofrespective flanges to form structure side walls.